Solid Waste & Recycling - Community Development, Benton County, Oregon

Sustainability In Action

The Solid Waste Division is a resource to help guide your family, business or organization in solid waste best practices to ensure a sustainable environment for our community. Did you know that each day in the United States, about five pounds of trash is generated per person, which is nearly one ton per person every year? We can reduce how much ends up in the landfill by recycling and composting whenever possible, and most importantly, preventing waste production in the first place. By cutting down on food waste, buying and using less, or purchasing second-hand items, we can help keep Benton County cleaner, healthier and more sustainable.

Most Preferred

Least Preferred

Reduce

Residential Food: Be mindful of perishable foods when buying in bulk, and plan meals ahead of shopping. Don’t let good food go bad! Spoiled food costs each household here in Oregon over $1,600 a year on average. Store leftovers in the front of the fridge, and prioritize eating those first
Fruit and Vegetable Storage Guide (EN ESPAÑOL), No Food Left Behind
Business Food: Food Waste Prevention – Wasted Food Wasted Money
Clothing Care: Make Every Thread Count
Reduce paper consumption by reducing Junk Mail – Helpful Resource
Start or join a community tool share program
- Corvallis Bicycle Collective
- Tools at Corvallis-Benton County Public Library – Library of Thi ngs
Find rental options for tools and equipment that you use infrequently or shop locally at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Food Rescue

The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s No Food Left Behind is a one-stop resource packed with resources to help you prevent food waste.
Find a food pantry to donate to .
Find a local food gleaner. Gleaning is the practice of allowing people to harvest food from farms and orchards. There are 14 gleaning groups throughout Linn and Benton Counties.
Benton County food donation guide for businesses. Coming soon!

Reuse & Repair

The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition makes buying used and repairing items easy – Corvallis-Area ReUse and Waste Prevention Directory
Shop reuse first! The OSUsed Nstore has a large variety of pre-loved items
Check out useful items from Corvallis-Benton County Public Library – Library of Things
Choose reusable cups and takeout containers instead of single-use packaging
Use reusable bags for grocery store trips
Choose reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles
Learn how to fix things!- OSU’s DIY Reuse and Repair Demo Videos
To find locations to donate, repair, or recycle – Searchable Waste Prevention Directory

Recycle

Recycle Right! Use this guide to choose which items to recycle. All items must be empty, clean, and dry!
Residential Recycling Information
Business Recycling Information

Compost

What can you compost
Composting Information from Benton County Provider
A Guide to Composting at the Curb – No Food Left Behin d
Composting at Home – If you’d rather make your own compost, check out these resources: Choosing a Compost System and Compost Bin Construction
DEQ – Environmental Impacts of Foods
Business Food Waste Recovery and Composting
Restaurant Food Waste Prevention Guide
Why is compostable packaging and service ware not accepted?

Disposal

Hazardous Waste: What is considered hazardous waste
Where can I dispose of hazardous waste
Electronics
Debris, Yard Waste and Garbage hauler for Benton County
What can be disposed at Depot’s and where are they located

Benton County’s Materials Management program aims to help our communities prevent waste before it occurs. Watch this video from DEQ to learn more and visit our sustainability page for the county.